21

Despite her misgivings about being a guest in Leo’s parents’ home for dinner, Tia ended up having a surprisingly good time during dinner. It seemed that tying her identity to being “Melinda’s friend” and “Leo’s co-worker” helped her to fit in. That actually felt pretty good. It didn’t hurt that everyone raved over her random selection of meals. And although she hadn’t felt a strong connection with Leo and Melinda’s dad, Jim, he seemed to warm up considerably when she announced dessert.

“It’s only bread pudding with rum sauce,” she said apologetically. “We wanted to keep it simple. We do have vanilla ice cream if anyone wants it a la mode.”

“Jim adores bread pudding,” Joy told Tia as she ground some beans for coffee.

“I’ll give him a generous piece,” Tia said as she set a piece of bread pudding on a plate and drizzled it with sauce.

“We all love bread pudding,” Melinda said as she dropped a dollop of ice cream on top.

“Except for Natalie,” Tia pointed out. “She passed on it.”

“Maybe she’s watching her figure,” Joy suggested. “I hear she’s found the perfect wedding gown.” Joy began describing a strapless gown of satin and beadwork. “She is going to make a gorgeous bride.”

Melinda didn’t say anything.

“Yes,” Tia agreed as she carried several desserts out to where they’d dined on the back patio. “She’ll be beautiful.”

Once they were all settled around the table again, Joy spoke up. “I was just telling the girls about your wedding gown,” she told Natalie. “Your mom sent a photo, and I won’t go into the details with Leo listening, but it sounds lovely.”

“It’s not a hundred percent for certain,” Natalie told her. “But I feel really good about it.”

“How about settling on the date?” Jim asked a bit sharply. “Bruce said you kids haven’t decided between the last Saturday of August or the first Saturday of September. I vote for August since the other date is on Labor Day weekend.”

“I agree,” Natalie told him, then pointed at Leo. “He’s the one who was opting for later. If Leo has his way, it won’t be until October.”

“October?” Jim’s brow knitted. “I thought you kids had agreed on a summer wedding.”

“The Pacific Pearl will barely be up and running in August,” Leo told him. “I hate to bail on Julie during what will probably be her busiest time of year. Taking a day off for the wedding in the midst of all that—”

“But aren’t you having the wedding on the boat?” Joy asked. “So you’re actually giving her business. That’s not bailing, Leo.”

“There’s also the honeymoon,” he said somberly. “She’d have to hire someone else to cover for me.”

“That’s probably beneficial for everyone,” Natalie said. “Julie should have a backup captain. Don’t you think?”

Leo’s face fell as the conversation continued. Tia, seeing that most of the dessert plates were empty, quietly gathered some of them up and made her way back into the kitchen, wishing for a small hole to crawl into.

“You don’t have to clean up another thing,” Melinda announced as she joined her.

“I don’t mind.”

“No.” Melinda put a hand on Tia’s. “I’ll take care of it later. And I’ll package up the dishes and everything and bring it back to you tomorrow.”

“Thanks.”

“You seem a little tired. Do you want to go home?” Melinda asked. “I mean, to the boat?”

“My home is on the boat for now.” Tia forced a smile. “I suppose I am tired.”

They both told the others good-bye and headed out. As Melinda drove, they were both quiet. Finally Melinda broke the silence. “Do you see what I mean about Leo?”

“Huh?” Tia turned to look at her.

“He doesn’t seem happy to me.”

“Well, he doesn’t really enjoy the wedding details. He’s mentioned that before. To be fair, most guys aren’t into wedding plans.”

“I think it’s more than that.”

Tia didn’t say anything as she turned to look out the side window. She actually agreed with Melinda, but she had no intention of saying so.

“He seems really frustrated to me.”

“Well, there’s a lot going on for him.” Tia was trying to think of something different to talk about . . . anything. “Hey, I was thinking about having a weenie roast on the boat tomorrow night,” she said suddenly. She’d been thinking about doing something like this all week. “We’ve got the new fire pit going, and I thought it’d be fun to have some friends over. Like you and Jake. And if Roland is up to it, maybe he and Julie could come. We’d roast hot dogs and make s’mores and sing around the campfire, you know?”

“That sounds great. Count me in.”

“Feel free to invite friends,” Tia told her. “The more the merrier.”

“Cool. A boat party.”

“If anyone plays an instrument, ask them to bring it. I’ll have my ukulele, and I’ll ask Jake to bring his harmonica.”

“I can’t wait!”

They worked out some more details and made a short shopping list that Melinda promised to pick up. By the time Melinda dropped her off, Tia’s spirits had lifted considerably. This was going to be fun! Of course, she’d made no mention that Leo and Natalie should be invited too—since they were part of that group. But knowing Natalie would decline coming to a floating party, what would be the point?

On Friday afternoon, Julie left Roland home alone and dropped by the boat to check on the progress. “Wow,” she exclaimed as she and Tia walked through the main cabin where the cork flooring had just gone down that morning. “This is beautiful.”

“I love the way the border stripes make it resemble a carpet,” Tia said.

“You say the lighting goes in next week?” Julie asked as she peered up to where the electrical boxes were waiting.

“That’s what the electrician said.”

Tia took her down to the galley, which had received its cork floor too. “It’s such a great surface for a kitchen,” Tia said. “Soft on the feet, but impervious to almost everything.”

“It’s so much more spacious than I imagined.” Julie opened a food storage cabinet that had been installed the day before. “This is roomy.”

Tia pointed out the lift-up rails on the shelves. “To keep things from slipping if we’re on rough seas.” She demonstrated how the doorknobs worked. “The cabinets won’t just fly open, yet they’re easy to open with one hand.”

They completed the tour, stopping at the fire pit, which Tia turned on. “Nice, huh?”

“I love it.” Julie stretched out her arms to hug Tia. “You are doing such a fabulous job. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Well, to be fair, Leo’s been pretty helpful too.”

“I honestly think you two are doing a far better job together than I could’ve done on my own. It almost makes me glad I’ve had to be away. Well, except for the reason. I would never have wished that on Roland.”

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s been in a little slump the last couple of days. I have to prod him to stay on top of things and to do his physical therapy. But from what I’ve read, this is normal after open heart surgery. I wouldn’t call it depression as such, but I’m keeping an eye on him. I try not to be away from him for more than an hour at a time. I know some might think I’m being overprotective, but it’s probably as much for me as it is for him.” She glanced at her watch. “I should probably get going. I still need to stop by the store.”

“You’re sure you guys don’t want to stop by here tonight?” Tia asked her again. “For hot dogs and s’mores and music?”

“Not this time.” Julie smiled. “But someday we’ll do that. You kids have fun.”

Tia followed her down the gangplank and then, linking arms, walked her down the dock. “Give Roland my love,” she said when they got to her SUV.

“I will. I know I already told you how much he loved the welcome home dinner, but he’s still talking about it. He’d love it if you popped in to say hello.”

“Okay, I’m glad to. Maybe I can cook for you guys again.”

“That wasn’t a hint, Tia. But someday when you’re not so busy here on the boat, I know he’d love it. In the meantime, just drop by to visit.”

“How about tomorrow?” Tia offered. “The only workers scheduled for tomorrow are the plumbers. Maybe Leo can deal with them.”

“As long as someone is here with them. If tomorrow doesn’t work, maybe after church on Sunday. By the way, are you going to the big engagement party tomorrow night?”

Tia wanted to say no, but the truth was, she’d already answered the electronic invitation’s RSVP in the positive. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Then we’ll see you there.”

Tia made a stiff smile. “You bet.”

As she walked back to the boat, she toyed with the idea of “accidentally forgetting” about tomorrow night’s big bash. With all her responsibilities on the boat, it seemed believable that she might forget. It could happen.

Tia hadn’t deliberately neglected to mention tonight’s hot dog roast to Leo today, although she was grateful that their paths hadn’t crossed much, so she hadn’t had a good opportunity to tell him about it. Her reasons were twofold. First of all, it would be easier for her if he wasn’t there. Second, it would be kinder to Natalie.

According to Melinda’s latest text, between her friends and Jake’s, there would be close to twenty guests on the Pacific Pearl tonight. Everyone had been informed that hot dogs, buns, and s’mores would be provided, but they were all expected to bring something to go along with the meal and musical instruments, if they had them, to play for a jam session singalong.

As Tia showered, she realized how much she was looking forward to this little impromptu shindig. People weren’t supposed to come until after 7:00, which gave her enough time to get some things set up. She started by moving all the deck chairs onto the deck with the fire pit. Then she set out the cooler, which was already filled with a selection of bratwursts and hot dogs that Melinda had brought by when she returned the boxes of dishes and things. She set up one table with hot dog buns and condiments and another table with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars. It was simple as can be, and yet it promised an evening of pure enjoyment.

Feeling festive and hospitable, Tia went to finish cleaning up. She’d already decided to wear the red-and-white checked sundress she’d gotten at home before coming to San Francisco. It was a little more feminine than her usual garb, but it felt like fun. If it got too cool, she’d top it off with her red cardigan. And instead of putting her hair in a ponytail as usual, she let it fall over her shoulders in loose waves. Since she planned to stay on the boat, she decided to go barefoot.

As planned, Melinda arrived early with a bag of sodas and a bunch of hot dog roasting sticks she’d cut from her parents’ backyard. “You look pretty,” Melinda told Tia.

Tia grinned. “It’s kind of fun to look like a girl occasionally.”

A little past 7:00, Jake and several of his buddies as well as a lot of Melinda’s friends started to show up. It wasn’t long until several of them, including Tia, were enjoying an impromptu jam session around the fire. Meanwhile others were roasting hot dogs and eating and basically just having a good time.

“This is so much fun,” Melinda told Tia as they met at the condiment table to dress their dogs. “You should tell Julie to consider having casual nights on the boat sometimes.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

Tia and Melinda found a couple of empty chairs and sat down to eat. As Tia munched on her bratwurst, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun. Watching the others mingling, laughing, singing, and eating, she felt sure they were having a good time too.

“I’m going to tell Julie about your idea,” Tia told Melinda as she finished up. “We should come up with a catchy name for a casual night. We could put it on the website and—”

“That reminds me,” Melinda said suddenly. “I got an idea for the website. I already asked Leo and he thought it would work.”

“What is it?”

“We’ll do a faux dinner cruise.”

“Faux?”

“We’ll invite some of our friends. Like the ones here tonight. Everyone will dress up like they’re going on a formal dinner cruise. Then Leo will take the boat out shortly before sunset, and I’ll get a bunch of staged photos with backdrops of the cityscape and the bridge and the sunset.”

“That’s a great idea.” Tia nodded. “It would be nice if you could get some shots of the boat too. It’s so pretty.”

“Yeah. Leo suggested taking his rowboat. I could go out in it and get some shots from there. Leo thought we should consider going on the Fourth of July.”

“Really?”

“That way we could get some cool shots with fireworks behind the boat. That would be pretty spectacular.”

“That’s a brilliant idea.”

“But that doesn’t give us much time to plan. The Fourth is only a week away.”

“Maybe we should make an announcement tonight,” Tia said. “Invite everyone to do this again on the Fourth.”

“Want me to do that?” Melinda offered.

“Sure. Thanks.”

Melinda went over to the fire pit, making a loud whistle through her fingers until she got the crowd to settle down. Once she had their attention, she made the announcement. The response was positive. “There’s a catch,” she explained. “Everyone has to dress up. At least for the first part of the trip. After I get the photos, you can get casual if you want. We’ll have food and drinks for everyone.” They all let out a cheer, then returned to their fun.

“Hey, Tia, hurry up with that hot dog,” Jake called out from where the musicians were seated near the fire pit. “We need a ukulele for this next song.”

Finished with her food, Tia went over to join the music makers. She was impressed that Jake was more than just a harmonica player. He’d brought along a banjo and mandolin. Like Tia, he was into folk music, so it wasn’t too hard coming up with songs they both knew. To her delight, Jake was also a fan of her favorite folk group, Nickel Creek. The two of them led the others in some songs they both knew and loved, including “The Lighthouse’s Tale,” which was one of Tia’s favorites.

“Who are you in that song?” Jake asked Tia when they were finished.

“What?” She peered curiously at him.

“You have to relate to one of the characters. Are you the beloved fiancée who was lost at sea? The devoted light-keeper? Or the lighthouse?”

She laughed. “Well, I’m the lighthouse, of course.”

“So you still warn the sailors on their way?” It was Leo who asked this, and Tia turned to see he was lurking in the shadows.

“Hey, stranger, how long have you been here?” she asked lightly.

“Long enough.” He made a crooked smile. “That was a nice song. Mind if I crash the party?”

“You’re not crashing,” she assured him. “It’s for everyone. Did you bring Natalie along?”

He shook his head. “I tried to, but she was getting a headache so I took her home.” He held out a guitar case. “But I did bring this.”

“Well, what’re you waiting for?” Jake demanded. “Get on over here, man.”

“Are you hungry?” Tia asked Leo.

“No thanks. I already ate.”

“We do have s’mores,” she said temptingly.

“S’mores?” His eyes lit up. “Well, I don’t suppose I can pass that up.”

The party continued with s’mores and sunset and music and firelight. Even though Tia knew she shouldn’t be enjoying herself as much as she was—at least where Leo was concerned—she just couldn’t help it. When the two of them did a duet of Nickel Creek’s “When You Come Back Down,” she was grateful for the dim light because she had tears in her eyes.

“Excuse me,” she said in a husky voice, standing. “I need to get a drink of water. I’m getting a little hoarse.” She hurried inside, going directly to the stateroom, where she took some deep breaths and attempted to compose herself. She wasn’t even sure why the lyrics to that song got to her, but she suspected it was related to Leo. Anything more than that and she really didn’t want to think about it. Seeing her cardigan on her bed, she slipped it on. Grow up, she told herself as she went back outside.

The jam session went on into the night, and Tia quickly got back into the spirit of it, playing and singing with enthusiasm until her fingers got so sore she had to take a break. She went over to the gunwale, looking out over the bay where a three-quarter moon was just starting to go down.

“Having fun?”

She turned to see Leo had joined her.

“I am,” she confessed.

“Me too. This was a great idea.”

She told him about Melinda’s idea for a casual night on the boat sometimes. To keep filling the space, she also mentioned how everyone seemed excited to participate in the July Fourth evening. “That was a great idea, Leo. Hopefully we’ll get some great photos. Unless it’s foggy that night.”

“That could be interesting too.”

“You’re right. In fact, we should make sure that some of the photos on the website represent other types of weather, like fog. Just to remind people that life isn’t supposed to be nothing but sunshine and blue sky.”

For a couple of minutes neither of them spoke.

“What are you thinking about?” Leo asked quietly.

Without bothering to filter herself, she answered, “Just wishing that nights like this could last forever.”

He slowly nodded. “Yeah.”

The party was starting to break up now, and to Tia’s surprise, someone announced that it was nearly 1:00 in the morning. “Yeah, we better call it a night,” Leo said, “before someone complains about the noise.”

“Who’s going to complain?” Jake asked. “The fish?”

Leo laughed. “Hey, there are a few people who live on their boats. People who enjoy their peace and quiet.”

“Like me,” Tia reminded him. She thanked everyone for coming, and Melinda reminded them about July Fourth next week.

“We’ll set sail at 7:30,” Leo warned. “Don’t miss the boat!”

Leo, Melinda, and Jake stuck around to help clean up, which didn’t take long. As they were leaving, Melinda reminded Tia about tomorrow night. “The big engagement party,” she said without real enthusiasm. “Be there or be square.”

“Right.” Tia was thankful that it was too dark for them to see her expression. She knew it was less than cheery, and as she waved good-bye, she wondered if there might be a graceful way to avoid going at all . . . like falling and breaking her leg, perhaps?